The West Coast Council, on behalf of the West Coast community, yesterday posted open letters to The Guardian and Screen Australia requesting they immediately withdraw their “documentary” film ‘Where the River Runs Red’.
This film portrayed the West Coast and Queenstown in a way unfamiliar to those of us who live, work, and thrive here. It expressed an entirely negative view and intentionally showed both locals and the area in a degenerative light. The film completely ignored the many great things happening on the West Coast, the beautiful environment, and the vibrant entrepreneurial attitude of the community who are continuously building a better future.
Council believes that this film was sensationalist and deliberately aims to hurt a community that in fact, despite the representation by The Guardian and Screen Australia, has a beautiful environment, and a friendly and welcoming local populace.
Council has requested the removal of the offending material from all platforms and requests a public apology to the people of Queenstown and the West Coast. Council encourages those that have viewed this material to visit the West Coast themselves and see, from an un-biased perspective, the gorgeous scenery and fascinating history of the region.
